How Property Tax Works
Antelope County, Nebraska operates under a property tax system that serves as the primary funding mechanism for local government services, including county operations, schools, fire protection, and municipal services. Property taxes in Antelope County fund essential services such as road maintenance, law enforcement, emergency services, and public education across the county's various municipalities including Neligh, Elgin, Tilden, Oakdale, and several smaller communities.
The property tax rate for Antelope County varies significantly by location within the county due to overlapping special taxing districts. For the 2025 levy year, the average countywide tax rate is 0.9129%, applied to a total property value base of $3,692,633,277. However, individual property owners may pay different effective rates depending on their specific location and the combination of city, school district, fire district, and other special assessments that apply to their property. Rates can vary considerably between rural areas and incorporated municipalities, with additional levies for services like fire protection, library districts, and municipal bonds.